At the Global Media Congress, ESG MENA interviewed Asha Sherwood, CEO of AD Review, to discuss the various communication activities conducted by the company to empower ongoing communication in Abu Dhabi and promote sustainability throughout their published content.
ADIA Lab, the independent Abu Dhabi-based institute dedicated to basic and applied research in data and computational sciences, hosted its second annual symposium in Abu Dhabi in November, with an agenda focussed on the power of research and technology to address global challenges.
The event took place at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as part of ADIA Lab’s commitment to playing an active role in the international data and computational science community, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s digital ecosystem and raising opportunities for collaboration between the UAE and global organisations.
The event brought together some of the world’s most respected scientists, thought leaders and researchers to confront critical issues like climate change and the need for trustworthy AI, while discussing how AI is transforming key industries.
“At the symposium, some of the world’s brightest minds in science and technology, will explore how AI and data science can be harnessed to solve critical societal issues”, said Dr Horst Simon, Director of ADIA Lab, ahead of the event.
“This year’s symposium has expanded not only in scope, but also in our potential impact, as wee look deeper into the technological advances and innovations that are shaping our future.”
The 2024 symposium explored three themes over three days, such as trustworthy AI, which explored the need to address the urgent need for secure and reliable ecosystems. The event also included discussions based on the environment, with a focus on sustainability in AI, and topics ranging from climate monitoring to risk modelling.
In a bid to recognise and promote initiatives that enhance educational infrastructure, the International Jury of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO) has commenced the evaluation process for the prestigious Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities in the Islamic World.
In 2024, nine outstanding projects from across Islamic countries have advanced to this stage, having successfully passed initial screening, which included submission reviews, compliance with eligibility criteria and detailed individual assessments.
“We are delighted to announce the start of the jury’s deliberations for the Hamdan-ICESCO Prize for Voluntary Development of Education Facilities in the Islamic World”, said Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences.
“This collaboration with ICESCO continues to spotlight remarkable contributions to education development in the Islamic world. The prize celebrates efforts to establish, upgrade and equip schools and educational institutions, while also supporting charitable initiatives in this domain. It underscores the collective commitment to improving education for communities across the Islamic world.”
The prize has attracted widespread participation from numerous Islamic countries, and it aims to contribute to strengthening education, disseminating knowledge, and empowering communities to achieve educational excellence while embracing technological advancements.
Awarded to three winners, the prize carries a total value of USD 300,000, with each winner receiving a trophy and USD 100,000, dedicated to furthering charitable initiatives in support of educational facilities.
Aviation is a controversial topic within sustainable and efficient transport issues – it has been the subject of greenwashing and disinformation, making ‘sustainable’ aviation claims appear untrustworthy or suspicious. However, organisations such as Solar Impulse Foundation are working to advance green aviation and prove that there could potentially be an alternative to the climate impact of regular fossil-fuel powered flight.
ESG Mena spoke with Betrand Piccard, Founder of Solar Impulse, to find out more about green aviation, fossil fuel alternatives and realistic timeframes.
Well, when we speak of green aviation, we have to speak about operations that can be much cleaner and more efficient, with consistent, dedicated approach, with direct routes, with electric facilities on the airport. But this is not what will completely change aviation. I think we now have to aim at the ultimate way to decarbonise, which is hydrogen.
Of course, you have a lot of people who will say it will never happen, it’s impossible, it’s too expensive – but may of these revolutions have already happened. You know, for mobile phones, it was considered impossible to have a mobile phone in every pocket. Now, we have antennas everywhere and mobile phones in the pockets. And it will happen like this.
For hydrogen, we just need to reach the critical mass. That means the quantity of production and the quality of demand. The price will drop – like for photovoltaics, where the price was divided by 40 over the last 25 years.
So hydrogen, if we believe in it, it will happen.
Well, I think both will happen. For E-SAF, you take the CO2 from wherever you can, and you combine it with green hydrogen, and you have hydrocarbon chains.
You’ve captured CO2, you have it here in your hands, you could put it in the ground, instead, you make a fuel and put it back in the atmosphere. So, in a way, it’s neutral, it could be negative, but you could sequestrate it.
This is why I believe in hydrogen, which is outside of the cycle of carbon.
Like always, the pioneers are early and the industry comes later, so what we need are the pioneers to open the way.
I have the construction of Climate Impulse underway – it’s a two-seater hydrogen plane that has to fly non-stop around the world in nine days with zero emissions by 2028. Of course, it’s experimental, it’s not yet certified to take passengers.
So between now and the moment where hydrogen aeroplanes can carry passengers in a certified way, we will need the sustainable aviation fuel, that’s for sure. It will be an intermediate fuel before hydrogen will take over.
I would say, 10 to 15 years to have the first hydrogen aeroplane certified for passengers, and then you have the replacement rates, which will be quite long. I would say 50 years before we really have hydrogen aviation, meanwhile SAF or E-SAF, clean and efficient operations.
Our hydrogen aeroplane is a way to make the hydrogen industry more desirable, to show that you can make the ultimate flight non-stop around the world, zero emissions with green hydrogen. If it’s possible there in the sky, it’s possible everywhere.
At COP29, Thomas Guillot, CEO of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), spoke with Sal Jafar, CEO of ESG Mena about GCCA’s efforts to decarbonise the cement industry. Highlighting their Global Net Zero Roadmap, Guillot shared how innovative solutions are reshaping the future of sustainable construction.
How is technology reshaping sustainability? Monaem Ben Lellahom shares his insights in an exclusive interview with Sal Jafar at COP29, highlighting how Sustainable Square is revolutionising sustainable operations and transactions through digital innovation.
In an effort to address disinformation campaigns that are delaying and derailing climate action, the Brazilian government, the United Nations (UN) and UNESCO are joining forces to strengthen research and measures to prevent further damage to climate mitigation.
The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change is an important intervention to boost support for urgent climate action at a time when scientists are warning the world is running out of time.
“Countries cannot tackle this problem individually”, said President Lula at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “This initiative will bring together countries, international organisations and networks of researchers to support joint efforts to tackle disinformation and promote actions in preparation for COP30 in Brazil.”
Initially discussed in the G20 framework, the Initiative is being established as a dedicated multilateral collaboration among States and international organisations to fund research and action promoting information integrity on climate issues. Aiming to expand the scope of research into climate disinformation and its impacts, the effort will gather evidence from around the world to inform and bolster strategic action, advocacy and communications.
Countries committing to the Initiative will contribute to a UNESCO-administered fund, with a goal of raising an initial USD 10 to 15 million over the next 36 months, to be distributed as grants to non-governmental organisations to support their work to research climate disinformation integrity, develop communication strategies and undertake public awareness campaigns. So far, Chile, Denmark, France, Morocco, the United Kingdom and Sweden have already confirmed participation.
“We must fight the coordinated disinformation campaigns impeding global progress on climate change, ranging from outright denial, to greenwashing, to harassment of climate scientists”, said António Guterres, UN Secretary General. “Through this Initiative, we will work with researchers and partners to strengthen action against climate disinformation.”
The risk posed by climate disinformation has been recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which stated in 2022 that “deliberate undermining of science” was contributing to “misconceptions of scientific consensus, uncertainty, disregarded risk and urgency, and dissent.”
In a bid to accelerate critical research and innovative solutions addressing land degradation, drought and desertification, Saudi Arabia has launched the Young Researchers Award at the COP16 Science Pavilion, with a total prize pool of $70,000.
A total of seven awards of $10,000 each will be given to early career researchers (up to age 35) who can demonstrate impactful and significant contributions to key areas, such as land management, drought resilience and land restoration. The award categories are land restoration, sustainable agri-food systems, equitable land governance, community and youth engagement, science, technology and innovation, resilience and climate adaption, and finance and sustainable land investments.
The awards will be presented at an event during the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 in Riyadh. Nominees will be flown to Saudi Arabia and provided five days of accommodation. Winners will also be given a unique opportunity to be mentored by leading experts.
“Land degradation, drought and desertification are leading causes of many issues impacting people around the world, be it food insecurity, water insecurity or forced migration”, said Dr. Osama Faqeeha, Deputy Minister for Environment, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and Advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency. “COP16 in Riyadh is an opportunity to find urgent solutions, and help turn the tide on these global crises.”
The international competition encourages applicants to demonstrate innovative approaches, long-term sustainability and scalability, and focus on how their work can benefit the Middle East. Submissions are open until 22nd November and will be evaluated by a dedicated scientific committee that includes leading experts in Saudi Arabia.
As 40 per cent of land is already degraded according to the UNCCD, Saudi Arabia’s incoming UNCCD Presidency is seeking to mobilise international efforts and cooperation to deliver multilateral action on a range of pressing issues, including land restoration and drought resilience.
Researchers and innovators are encouraged to submit their work through the official award website here
ESG (environment, social, governance) has to be considered when looking at almost every PR brief. For many companies it will be central for all proposals, or at least they may want it to be part of their plans.
For any agency looking to take on an ESG brief this is the first question we need to answer – is ESG the right approach for the company? This may seem very obvious but is often the point which is overlooked. The client has asked for ESG communications and we just follow their request and find a way to deliver on the brief.
In my experience this is where things can go wrong.
If we look at the origins of ESG we have to go back to 2004 and the publication of the United Nations report ‘Who Cares Wins’, (Global Compact Initiative – Who Cares Wins. Connecting Financial Markets to a Changing World) which is generally seen as the first high level endorsement of the ESG concept.
This is very important as ESG was very clearly linked to financial markets, and by implication firms working in or related to those markets, with the emphasis being on the ‘G’ governance element.
We often get firms who are not public, or involved in financial work, asking for us to look at or write their ESG strategy. This is all well and good, but is this the right approach for them, or would their actions in this area be better positioned as CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) or as environmental initiatives.
I read a comment from another communications firm which said that more and more companies are ‘adopting ESG as a framework for explaining their corporate responsibility goals and progress’. Our advice is that unless your business is already structured to meet ESG reporting, it takes a lot of resource and work to make this happen.
ESG requires data on environmental factors to show the impact on the planet which includes carbon emissions, waste management, and resource usage. You also have to report on the company’s relationship with its employees, customers, and community to show how you are addressing social factors and finally, governance looks at the internal structures that guide company decision-making, and the transparency of the reporting of these decisions.
If as a firm these elements are not baked into the way you operate then there will be a problem in how you report against them.
ESG has to be embedded into the culture of a company, and this does not happen overnight. There needs to be a methodology for recording and reporting your ESG impact. This should include, at the lowest level, aligning with a recognised sustainability impact reporting standard. And, this should have data going back over a significant period of time.
If the firm has ESG embedded and they have a story to tell we look at communications, which are:
If firms fail in any of the communication areas, they can get accused of ‘ESG or Green Washing’. This immediately turns what the executive hoped would be a positive area of communications into a potential crisis scenario. Companies accused of green-washing face a very difficult time and a lot of hard work to rebuild their reputations.
This is why we always start the process by making sure that aligning to ESG is the right approach for a company. If it is, and the company has invested in ESG and this is aligned to the business, then there are great opportunities to use ESG messaging to support financial results and show the strength of the strategy
Going back to the reason why ESG was developed as a reporting standard, it was to show investors the ethical positioning and transparency of companies – to identify companies who care.
If ESG is being used to misrepresent the work of a company and it is just ESG-washing the approach fails. There is an increasingly large number of investors who are becoming disillusioned with ESG because of the lack of regulation and no clear standards These investors are questioning the true benefits of their investment in this sector.
So, I will end with the comment from Larry Fink of BlackRock
“I don’t use the word ESG anymore, because it’s been entirely weaponised … by the far left and weaponised by the far right.”
If we are communicating ESG we need to make sure we are not just creating ESG-washing and becoming part of the problem. Many firms can and should communicate on their CSR and environmental work but will need time to develop an ESG programme which can be effectively communicated.
Effective ESG communications are rewarding, beneficial and for some companies’ game changing. We love working in this area but are always pragmatic about what can be achieved.
By Habib Bacha
Habib Bacha is founder of Credo Communications LLC – Media Consulting Company
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In an effort to encourage the next generation of sustainable engineering, Schneider Electric and DP World have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate the deliverance of skills in sustainability and digital technologies to Emirati youth.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Schneider Electric’s Global Chairman, and Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director of DP World GCC. The MoU was signed by Maha AlQattan, Group Chief Sustainability Officer of DP World, and Amel Chadli, President of Gulf Countries at Schneider Electric.
As part of the agreement, Schneider Electric and DP World will collaborate on an ‘Experience Exchange’ Programme and a ‘Future Sustainability Leaders’ Programme.
The ‘Experience Exchange Programme’ will involve three employees from each company spending time together at the partner organisation to enhance knowledge and deepen mutual understanding of sustainability practices across business operations.
The ‘Future Sustainability Leaders’ Programme, starting in 2025, will empower a select group of UAE fresh graduates with industry knowledge and practical experience to drive sustainability forward. The five-month initiative includes training and knowledge transfer programmes focused on sustainability, decarbonisation and AI, it will then be followed by a one-month long internship.
“We are using our reach at DP World to expand opportunities and bridge the divide across science, technology, engineering and maths”, said Maha AlQattan, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at DP World. “We want to ensure no one gets left behind as the world responds to the challenge of climate change, and that means equipping youth with the tools and skills to succeed.”
“Partnerships like the one with Schneider Electric go a long way in driving this forward, and we’re proud to collectively advance the UAE’s ambitious youth and climate agenda.”
The collaboration highlights Schneider Electric’s ongoing initiatives in the UAE, including the ‘Tamayuz Programme’, which focuses on empowering Emirati graduates and boosting female participation in industrial sectors. Earlier in 2024, DP World also launched a global education platform offering resources that emphasise green, digital, STEM and logistics skills, as part of its broader $35 million investment target for education by 2030.
“We are proud to collaborate with DP World to support the next generation of Emirati talent across sustainability and technology”, said Amel Chadli, President of Gulf Countries at Schneider Electric.
“The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing future leaders in sustainability and supporting the UAE’s vision for a sustainable economy. By empowering young Emirati professionals, we are not only enhancing their individual development, but also advancing the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in innovation and sustainable technology, driving progress both locally and internationally.”
